Wharton Language Requirement & Placement

Students entering Wharton in 2017 or later fulfill the foreign language requirement by completing two semesters of beginning language (FREN 0100 and FREN 0200/0210) or by demonstrating that they have achieved an equivalent level. Wharton's general language requirement policy can be reviewed here. 

Many students enter Penn having already satisfied the language requirement, either via the SAT II or with an appropriate score on the AP or IB Higher Level examinations (see below). It is important to make sure that an official record of your scores has been sent to Penn and that they are posted to your record. 

Wharton students who have not fulfilled the language requirement with an external exam score must sit for the departmental exam offered during NSO and a few other times throughout the year. Please see the NSO Exam Schedule in late August for dates, times, and registration information. Contact the Undergraduate Coordinator if NSO has finished.

Wharton students can fulfill their language requirement in French in one of the following ways:

Placement via the SAT II 

Score Placement

below 380

French 0100- Elementary French I

380-440

French 0210- Elementary French

450-540

Fulfills Wharton language requirement and places students into FREN 0300

550-640

Fulfills Wharton language requirement and places students into French 0400- Intermediate French II

650 and above

Fulfills Wharton language requirement and places students into French 1000 or other 1000 level French course

Placement via the AP examinations

 

Score Placement

AP score of 1
  • Students must take the departmental placement exam

AP score of 2
  • Students must take the departmental placement exam

AP score of 3
  • Fulfills Wharton language requirement
  • Students wishing to continue studying French must take the departmental placement exam

AP score of 4
  • Fulfills language requirement
  • No credit given
  • Students wishing to continue studying French should enroll in FREN 1000

AP score of 5
  • Fulfills language requirement
  • Receive credit for FREN 1000
  • Students wishing to continue in French may enroll in FREN 1212 or FREN 1214
  • Students interested in other 1000-level courses should consult with the Undergraduate Chair

Placement via the IB examinations

 

Score Placement

Standard Level IB examinations
  • Students can not use Standard Level scores for placement purposes
  • Students must complete the departmental placement exam to determine the appropriate course level

6 or 7 on the IB Higher Level B examination
  • Fulfills language requirement
  • Receive credit for FREN 1000
  • Students wishing to continue in French may enroll in FREN 1212 or FREN 1214

5 on the IB Higher Level A examination
  • Fulfills language requirement
  • Receive credit for FREN 202
  • Students wishing to continue in French may enroll in FREN 1212 or FREN 1214

6 or 7 on the IB Higher Level A examination
  • Fulfills language requirement
  • Receive credit for FREN 1212
  • Students wishing to continue studying French should enroll in FREN 1231 or FREN 1232 or consult the Undergraduate Chair about other 2000-level courses
   

Placement via Penn's Written Departmental examination 

  • Wharton students who do not have qualifying SAT II, AP, and/or IB Higher Level exams in French, but have previous knowledge of French must take the written departmental exam. This is a 60-minute, paper-and-pencil multiple-choice exam taken in-person at Penn during NSO and a few times throughout the year. This is not the online test.
  • Please see the most recent schedule for dates, times, and registration information.
  • Wharton students who receive a qualifying score of 450 or above on the in person departmental placement exam at the beginning of the semester will fulfill their language requirement.  
  • If you missed the NSO exam period or are a transfer student, please email the Undergraduate Coordinator to inquire about make-up exams.

The following table shows scores and placement levels for the Wharton departmental placement exam in French.

 

Score Placement

below 380

 French 0100: Elementary French I
380-440 French 0200: Elementary French II
450-540 Fulfills Wharton language requirement and places students into French 0300: Intermediate French I.
550-640 Fulfills Wharton language requirement and places students into French 0400: Intermediate French II
650 and above Fulfills Wharton language requirement and places students into French 1000 or other 1000-level French courses 

 

Continuing with French after Fulfilling the Wharton Language Requirement

After successfully completing the language requirement by either completing or placing out of French 0100 and French 0200, Wharton students are encouraged to continue their study of French. The French & Francophone Studies department offers courses, certifications, and experiences that allow students to gain advanced knowledge of the language that can be beneficial for personal and professional advancement. 

 

 

 

 

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